Applied AI in Government: Practical Skills for Public Sector Leaders

This immersive two-day in person workshop is designed specifically for local government professionals who want to move beyond the AI conversation and begin applying these tools in meaningful, practical ways. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how artificial intelligence is already transforming public-sector work and, more importantly, how to use it responsibly to improve everyday operations.

Through guided, hands-on exercises and real-world local government scenarios, attendees will work directly with AI tools to explore applications in communications, policy development, research, resident engagement, community development, workflow efficiency, and administrative decision-making. From drafting public-facing materials to streamlining internal processes and enhancing staff productivity, the training is intentionally grounded in the work local government leaders and practitioners face every day.

Whether you are an executive, department head, manager, analyst, or emerging professional, this workshop will help you build confidence, strengthen your practical skills, and leave with actionable strategies you can bring back to your organization immediately.

Logistics 

Date: July 28 - 29, 2026

Location: Pepperdine University - Malibu, CA

Hotel: Villa Graziadio located on Pepperdine's Campus and a short 3 min walk to the conference

Confirmed Speakers

  Dr. Peter Prirnejad, ICMA-CM

Dr. Peter Pirnejad, ICMA-CM is the Executive Director of the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at the Pepperdine University School of Public Policy, where he leads research, graduate student education, professional education, and leadership initiatives focused on strengthening civic engagement and public sector governance. Dr. Pirnejad brings more than 27 years of experience in local government, public administration, and civic leadership. Prior to joining Pepperdine, he served as City Manager for the Town of Los Altos Hills and the City of Foster City, and previously held senior leadership roles including Assistant City Manager for Napa and Development Services Director for Palo Alto. He served as President of Cal-ICMA for the 2025–26 term, representing local government executives across California. He also co-directs the Santa Clara County City Managers’ Leadership Academy and frequently lectures on governance, public innovation, civic engagement, and the responsible use of emerging technologies in government. Earlier in his career, Dr. Pirnejad worked in the private sector as a Senior Director in Oracle’s Global Public Sector Industry Strategy group, advising governments on digital transformation and technology strategy. A recognized advocate for innovation and leadership in public service, he has received multiple awards for advancing sustainability, collaboration, and the effective use of technology in government. Dr. Pirnejad holds a BA in Environmental Studies and Geography from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and both a Master’s and Doctorate in Policy, Planning, and Development from the University of Southern California.

  Dr. Jonathan Reichental

Dr. Jonathan Reichental is the founder of Human Future, a global business and technology advisory, investment, and education firm. Previous roles have included senior software engineering manager, director of technology innovation, and he has served as chief information officer at both O’Reilly Media and the City of Palo Alto, California. In 2013 he was recognized as one of the 25 doers, dreamers, and drivers in government in America. In 2016, he was named a top influential CIO in the United States and in 2017, he was named one of the top 100 CIOs in the world. He has also won a best CIO in Silicon Valley award and a national IT leadership prize. Reichental is a recognized global thought leader on a number of emerging trends including urban innovation, smart cities, sustainability, blockchain technology, data governance, the fourth industrial revolution, and digital transformation. He holds several degrees including a Ph.D. in Information Systems. He is an adjunct professor in the School of Management at the University of San Francisco and instructs at several other universities. Reichental regularly creates online video courses for LinkedIn Learning and Coursera. Reichental is a popular global keynote speaker and writer. He writes for Forbes and has published many books including: Smart Cities for Dummies, Exploring Smart Cities Activity Book for Kids, and Data Governance for Dummies.

Conference Schedule

Foundations & Demonstrations - Day 1 (July 28)

Every session on Day 1 is designed to build toward the afternoon's hands-on work with the tools.

Morning - The day opens with a keynote from Dr. Jonathan Reichental on the current state of AI in local government, followed by a short facilitated conversation with practitioners already using these tools in California cities.

Afternoon -  Participants set up accounts and work through side-by-side demonstrations of Gemini, Claude, and ChatGPT before moving into guided hands-on practice with real municipal prompt sequences.

Late afternoon -  A working discussion on AI governance, public records obligations, and responsible use grounds the day's hands-on learning in the policy realities every California city is navigating.

Evening -  A fireside chat over dinner with leaders in the GovAI space, featuring candid conversation about the latest innovations, what is working in the field, and where the practice of AI in local government is headed.

Applied Working Groups - Day 2 (July 29)

Morning — The decade ahead A look at the future of AI in public service: robotics, automation, and the emerging technologies that will shape municipal operations over the next ten years.

Late morning to early afternoon — Working groups Participants work in three parallel groups through three one-hour phases (research, strategy, and presentation build) on realistic municipal scenarios. Every participant will work across all three leading AI tools (Gemini, Claude, and ChatGPT) with the understanding that no single tool does it all, and additional tools may be introduced along the way.

Each group will learn powerful prompt engineering and validation processes to support research, data analysis, and the development of PowerPoint presentations for executive review.

Afternoon — Presentations, debrief, and close Each group presents to the full cohort, walking through their methodology, AI outputs, and lessons learned. 

The day closes with a structured cohort debrief and certificate ceremony.

What you'll leave with

• Hands on experience working in Gemini, Claude, and ChatGPT applied to municipal work
• A practical framework for responsible AI use and public records compliance
• A tested methodology for AI-assisted staff work
• A peer network of California municipal leaders navigating the same transition
• A Davenport Institute certificate of completion

Questions? Reach out to us at davenport.institute@pepperdine.edu